Mathematical Intelligence

Mathematical intelligence is considered a strong indicator of general intelligence, and items requiring numerical and spatial reasoning have historically been a component of what constitutes an IQ or “g” score. The traditional view of mathematical intelligence as a construct measurable by a [Page 545]standardized battery leaves little room for the role of imaginative thinking and does not take into consideration the extracognitive and sociocultural factors that influence a person's mathematical creativity. Because mathematical intelligence is often associated with mathematical giftedness and mathematical creativity, a differentiation of the various terms is necessary and explained in this entry. Mathematical intelligence is described from the point of view of extant research findings in the domains of mathematical cognition, psychology, sociocultural research, and gifted education.